BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MAY 29TH 2012 (CUOPM) – Government quest to increase the use of solar energy to provide electricity moved in another direction Tuesday when St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas accepted a monetary contribution from the Republic of China (Taiwan).

“As St. Kitts and Nevis continues the march to become one of the first entirely green-energy country, we will be able in the process to not only improve the quality of life for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, but we would be able to a large extent reduce the enormous expenditure that the government continues to expend on a regular basis for the electrification of the various parts of the country,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

He assured the Taiwanese diplomat that the Federal Government is grateful for the financial assistance and it was only a matter of time that the ordinary man in this country would see the enormous benefits in the continuing relations with Taiwan.

“Thank you for providing the resources to move this important project forward,” said Prime Minister Douglas in accepting the cheque from Resident Ambassador of the Republic of China His Excellency Miguel Li-Jey Tsao in a brief Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister on Tuesday afternoon.

The presentation was witnessed by Ministry of Public Utilities and Energy, the Hon. Dr. Earl Asim Martin; Chief Secretary Mr. Joseph Edmeade; Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Utilities and Energy, Mr. Lenrick Lake and Chairman of the St. Kitts Electricity Company (SKELEC), Mr. Arthurlyn Belle.

The financial donation will go toward the financing of the ground works for the solar lighting of the Kim Collins Highway and that stretch of road from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) eastwards to the Sugar’s Complex.